Exhaust machine



July 15 194- v. AH. VAN SANT 2,249,098

- EXHAUST MACHINE Filed Aug. 1o, 1959 8 sheets-sheet 1 Y, F/G. 7 45 /NVEA/roR L/ H. M4N SANT A 7' TORNEV .lu1y15,1941. v. H. VAN 'SANT l 2,249,098

` XHAUST MACHINE Filed Aug. l0, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 K /Nl/E/vrof? JMJ By vHm/v SANT r @mw/m ATTORNEY July 15, 1.941. v. H. VAN SANT EXHAUST MACHINE Filed Aug. 10, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 I F/c. 9

ATTORNEY July 15, 1,941. v, H. VAN SANT.; 2,249,098

I EXHAUST MACHINE Fild Aug. 11o., 1939 a sneetsvsneet s 4? L' 86 F/G. O

/Ioo a y/00 A n '(1.9 fav/oo 9a #nl N1 99 l/. H. VAN SANT BV ATTORNEY July 15, 1941.l V, VAN SANT 2,249,098

EXHAUST MACHINE Filed Aug. 10, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 D *Wm m L1 L| Ll'mplLl E/Ll/ l li mi L| /Nl/EN roi; V H. M4N SANT BY RUM-mlm ATTORNEY 991,115, 1941. v.H.vAN SANTl 2,249,098

EXHAUST MACHINE ATTORNEY July 15, 1941- v. H. VAN SANT i 2,249,098

. EXHAUST MACHINE AFiled Aug. 10. 19:59 s sheets-sheet 8 234 23a I 40o F/G. /9 226 r 222 /22 f'. '7 23a y ao l?" 49 255 i 42l| l l 1 /46 *A L, w43 ao 3/ 32 t@ 245` 65 a, F/GZO 240 24/ 40o 24 l T- 27/v l 27/ LJ 2/5 272272 /A/VE/W'OR 25o L/H. VAN SANT AT TORNEV Patented July 15, 1941 EXHAUS T MACHINE Victor H. Van Sant, Westfield, N. J., assigner to Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 10, 1939, Serial No. 289,385

(Cl. 25o-27.5)

23 Claims.

This invention relates to exhaust machines, and more particularly to machines for exhausting and sealing off vacuum tubes.

An object of the invention is to provide an efficient automatic exhaust machine for vacuum tubes.

With this and other objects in View, the invention comprises an exhaust machine having a table supporting exhaust sockets for tubulations of vacuum tubes to be exhausted and gripping contacts for the lead Wires of the vacuum tubes, the table being indexed to move the tubes from loading position through an oven, where the tubes are evacuated While being heated, after which the tubes are moved -through positions Where they are subjected to high frequency coils, to free remaining gases in the tube Yand to flash a getter in each tube for completing evacuation, sealed off, removed from the table and ydeposited in a chute, and the remaining tubulations pulled from the exhaust sockets and ejected. A stationary distributor, about which the table travels, controls the opening and closing of the gripping contacts and the closing of electrical circuits therethrough While control means for operating doors of the oven, the movement of the high frequency coils, the sealing olf unit, and the tubulation puller extend through a hollou7 member coaxial With the distributor.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following `detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a top plan View of the exhaust ma- 352 Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken subchine stantially along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View illustrating the driving mechanism and the cams for actuating various units;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional View illustrating the indexing means forthe table;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed View of a portion of this means;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken along the line 5--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating the oven door operating mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a portion of the table illustrating one exhaust socket and one set of gripping contacts;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the line 9--9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the table illustrating the gripping contacts in open position; 'K

Fig. 11 is a similar fragmentary top plan view of the table showing the gripping contacts in closed positionA and included in electrical circuits; l

- Fig. 1 2 is a similar fragmentary top plan View of the table illustrating the gripping contacts in closed position When not included in electrical circuits; ,i

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating the mechanism for moving the high frequency coils toward andaway from the tubes;

Fig 11iY is a fragmentary sectional View of the tube puller; Y l

Fig. 15 is a. fragmentary side elevational View of the tube puller;

Fig. 16 is a front elevational view of that shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the gripping chuck of the tube puller ad-r jacent the associated. parts;

Fig. 18 is a top plan View of the structureY shown in Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View of the machine illustrating the sealing off mechanism;

Figs. 20, 2l,` 22 and 23 are fragmentary detailed views taken at various: angles of the sealing off unit;

Fig. 24 is a top plan View of the tube supporting and ejecting portion of the sealing off unit, y

mcunteda base plate13l upon which is fixedly mounted a stationary fluid `controlling element 32 having a plurality of equally spaced passage- Ways 33 equal in number to the number of ex-4 Certain of the l haust sockets 34 on a table 35. passageways 33 are connected through pipesY38 to vacuum pumps (not shown) for evacuating the tubes, illustrated at 4S (Fig. 13). A movable fluid controlling element 42 is disposed upon the stationary element 32 and has passageways 43 positioned to communicate with the passageways 33 of the stationary'element at each of the rest positions of the table 35. 'Ihe stationary element 32 as well as the base plate 3| serve as bearings for a Geneva gear 45 (see Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6) upon which is mounted the table 35 having the cross sectional contour as illustrated in Fig. 2. In this ligure the table is shown as having an inner annular portion 46 with an annular flange resting in a horizontal plane upon the Geneva gear and secured thereto, and an outer annular portion 41, the annular portions 46 and 41 being -connected with a horizontal annular portion 48 extending outwardly beyond the vertical annular portion 41 to support an insulating ring 49 and a plurality of exhaust sockets 34 and gripping contacts which Will hereinafter be described.

The driving means for the table may be followed from a drive motor 55 shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and traced to the Geneva gear, by viewing Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive. The motor 55 is operatively connected to a shaft 56 through a belt 51 and pulleys schematically shown in Fig. 2. From the shaft 56 the driving means is traced to a shaft 58 through a belt 59, connected to these shafts by suitable pulleys, the shaft 58 being connected through a chain of gears, housed at 60, to a pinion 6|.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that the pinion 6| drives a gear 62 which, in turn, drives a cam shaft 63 upon which is rlxedly mounted a gear 64. The gear 64 drives a pinion 65 which is mounted upon one end of a shaft, the latter having fixed to the other end thereof a bevelled-i gear 66. It will be noted that the shaft 63 aswell as the shaft supporting the pinion 6| and bevelled gear 66 are journalled in bearings supported by suitable brackets 68 mounted in the housing 36. The housing 60 for the chain of gears is also mounted in the housing 30.

Referring now to the bevelled gear 66, attention is directed to Figs. 2, 3 and 6, which illustrate the interengagement of this bevelled gear with ay bevelled gear 10 which is fixed to a shaft 1| journalled in a bearing 12, extending through the upper portion of the housing and secured thereto. The upper end of the shaft 1| has a member 13 fixed thereto for supporting a Geneva pin or roller 14 eccentrically with respect to the axis of the shaft 1|, for causing movement of the gear 45, and a locking element 15 conditioned to enter recesses 16 positioned between pin receiving slots 50 18 in the gear to lock the gear against movement between each intermittent movement caused by the pin 14.

Attention is again directed to Fig. 2, Where there is illustrated a tubular member 89 disposed concentric with the axis of the table 35 and the fluid controlling elements 32 and 42 and extending through central apertures of these elements as well as a central aperture in the base plate 3|. The tubular member 89 is fixed to the base plate in any suitable manner and serves as a bearing for the movable element 42.

The tubular member 80 also rigidly supports a distributor 83, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The outer wall of the distributor 83 supports four rows of suitably spaced terminals 84 at the positions where it is desirable to include electrical elements of the vacuum tubes in electrical circuits at the various stations during their cycle of travel with the table. The terminals B4 are illustrated in Figs. 9 and ll and the manner in which they include the elements of the vacuum tubes in the circuit. Cams 36, shown in Fig, 10, are also mounted upon the distributor 83 to cause mechcontacts. The approaching ends of the terminals 84 are bevelled, at 81, and the approaching ends of the cams 86 are bevelled, at 89, so that the inner ends of push rods 90 may readily ride thereupon.

As illustrated in Figs. 2, 9, 10, ll and 12, the push rods 99 extend through and are movable in insulated bushings 9| mounted in the vertical annular portions 46 and 41 of the table 35. The push rods are normally urged inwardly toward the distributor 83 by concentrically mounted springs 94 but are limited in their movement by annular stop members 95 mounted thereon.

In the present embodiment of the invention there are four push rods 99 at each location on the table 35, there being one push rod for each set of gripping contacts shown in Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive. Each set of gripping contacts is composed of a stationary contact 98 rigidly mounted upon the insulating member 49 of the table 35 and insulated from the latter. A movable contact 99 of each set of gripping contacts is xedly mounted upon the upper end of a shaft or pin |99 which is suitably journalled in a bearing |9| extending through the insulating member 49 and the portion 48 of the table 35 and insulated from the latter. An arm |93 fixed to the shaft |00 carries a terminal |04 at its outer end which is electrically connected to a flexible conductor |05. 'I'he sets of gripping contacts are substantially identical in construction and in conformity with the structure just described, yet, by viewing Figs. 8 and 9i, it will be noted that the lengths of the shafts |96 and particularly the positions of the terminals |04 supported by the arms |93 of each set vary in staggered relation so as to allow for the positioning of the push rods 90, as illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive. The arm |03 of each set of gripping contacts is provided with a helical spring |98 to normally urge the movable contact 99 toward the stationary contact 98 to firmly grip a lead wire of a vacuum tube when disposed therebetween. In Fig. 9 it will be noted that the conductors |95 are connected electrically to the bushings 9| supported by the vertical annular portion 41 of the table, thus electrically connecting the individual gripping contacts to their respective push rod 99.

'Ihe exhaust sockets 34 are of suitable type, for example, a type having apertured flexible tubulation receiving members housed in metallic casings, with their apertures communicating with valves H9 controlled by cam levers illustrated in Figs. 2, 8 and 9. The valves H0 are shown in open position, with their levers extending downwardly, positioned to be moved into a horizontal or closed position by suitable means should the vacuum tube associated therewith be defective. Each valve |||J is connected by means of a suitable pipe line ||2 to its respective passageway 43 in the fluid controlling element 42. Through this means each tube, unless it has a leak therein, is disposed in communication with a vacuum pump (not shown) at desired stations during the indexing of the table.

A stationary oven |29, arcuate in general contour and of the cross sectional structure illustrated in Fig. 2, is supported by a plurality of brackets |2| rigidly mounted upon an annular member |22 xed to the tubular member 89. The lower portion of the oven is open to allow the movement of the vacuum tubes, supported by the exhaust sockets on the table, therethrough but is closed to the atmosphere by stationary arcuate members |23 mounted upon the lower portion of the oven and having their lower surfaces positioned closely adjacent to the insulating member 4S to allow movement of the table relative to the member, yet eliminate as completely as possible loss of heat from the oven. The oven is heated by any suitable means, such as by electrical elements |24, and is suitably insulated as at |25. By viewing Fig. 1, it will be noted that the entrance end |28 and the exit end |29 of the oven are arcuate in general contour, each of these ends being provided with openings |30 which are suiciently large for the passage of the exhaust sockets with the vacuum tubes therein, and the gripping contacts therethrough.

Door operating!Y mechanism Doors |3| and |32 are provided for the ends |28 and |29, respectively, of the oven and conform thereto. These doors are so positioned and operated that they will be moved simultaneouslyinto open position to allow the tubes to simultaneously enter the entrance end and leave the exit end of the oven. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the doors |3| and |32 extend more than the full height of the oven and have supporting brackets and |36, respectively, pivotally supported at |31 and |33, respectively, on the adjacent brackets |2|. The supporting bracket |35 has a portion which extends rearwardly from its pivot |31 to pivotally support, at |43, the outer end of a connecting rod IM, the inner end of which is pivotally supported by an arm |42. The supporting bracket |35 of the door |32 has one end of a connecting rod |43 pivotally connected at |44 thereto, between the pivot |38 and the door |32, the other end of the connecting rod being pivotally connected to the arm |42 as shown in Fig. 1.-

By viewing Figs. 1, 2 and 1 it will be noted that bearing brackets and |46 are positioned in the tubular member 80, the former being disposed in the upper portion of the tubular member while the latter is disposed near the lower portion thereof. A vertical shaft |43 extends through bearings in the brackets |45 and |43 and has the upper portion thereof rigidly secured to the arm |42 while the lower portion of the shaft has an arm |49 rigidly mounted thereupon, Ythat is, sel ally supporting one end of a link |50, whilev the other end is threaded for adjustment to vary the distance of its pivotal connection with the link |53relative to the shaft |46. This is the means for varying the distance in which the doors 13| and |32 are moved relative to their respective openings |30. In other Words, if the link |56 is given a deiinite movement by a mechanism soon to be described, variations in the distance between the pivotal connection of thelink with the arm |43 and the axis of the shaft |48 will Vary the distance the shaft |48 will rotate, thus varying the distance of movement of the doors relative to their openings.

As illustrated in Figs. 3 and v'1, the link |56 is pivotally connected to a cam element |54 supported by and guided in its movement by guide members |55 and |56 receivable in elongate aper* High frequency coils During the travel of the Vacuum tubes with the table they are subjected to high frequency coilsV |16, |1|, |12, |13, |14 and |15 in successive stages.

, The high frequency coils are suitably mounted tures in the cam element |54 to thus support and Y allow longitudinal movement of the cam element along a dennite path. The guide member |55 is disposed upon a rod |51 supported by the brackets 56 while the guide member |56 is disposed Y upon the shaft 63. Y The end of the element |54 opposite the link |50 supports a cam roller |65 positioned to engage a cam |5| xedly mounted upon a reciprocable support |18 and are includedl ally and mounted4 upon the distributor 83, as g illustrated in Fig. 13. A projection on the member |15 provides means for pivotal connection thereof with .a connecting rod IBI, the latter being threaded at its upper end for adjustable connection with a nut |82. The nut |82 supports v a pivot |33 connecting it to the outer end of a lever |84 mounted upon an adjustable pivot |35. The pivot |35 has reduced end portions movably disposed in slots |36 of a bracket |81, the latter being rigidly mounted upon the annular member As illustrated in Fig. 1, one end of the pivot |85 has a worm gearY |90 mounted thereupon which interengages a Worm |9| journalled in bearings in the bracket |81 and conditioned to be rotated through a hand wheel |32. mechanism, adjustment of the worm will cause movement of the pivot |85 relative to the ends of-the lever |34 varying theefective movement of the lever to vary the positions of the high fre-V quency coils with respect to the tubes This is an important feature in that it is essential in locating the'effective heat of the coils at denite positions relative to the parts `thereof to be aiected thereby.

The inner end ofthe lever |84 isv pivotallyV connected to linksy|55 which connectV the lever to a connecting rod |96, the latter extending downwardly through journals in the journal brackets |45 and |45. The connecting rod |36 isv normally urged downwardly by a compression spring |38 and is connected at its lower end to a cam lever|99 through links 230.Y The cam leverV |39 is pivotally mounted on the rod |51 and has a cam roller 282 mounted upon the opposite end thereof and positioned to ride in a cam groove 253 of a cam 264. The cam 294 is iixvedly.r

mounted on the cam shaft 63Y and is driven throughr the power means previously described. During the intermittent reciprocable movement of the high frequency coils, they are constantlyguarded by an element 268, this element being of the general contour illustrated in Figs.- 1 and 13 and secured to the support |18. I

Sealing op* Yunit they enter a sealing off unit indicated'generallyat 2|'.^ This unit is' illustrated more-in detailin Figs. 19 to 23, inclusive. As will be noted-in,

W' ith thisv Fig. 1, a tube support 2| I is notched at 2|2 to receive the tubulation of the exhaust tube, being moved into that position, and has retaining springs 2|3 mounted `thereon positioned to straddle the tube. The support 2|I is of sutilcient size for the tube to rest upon when the time is present for sealing oif and ejecting the tube. An arm 2I4 extending outwardly from the support 2| I pivotally mounts the support on a shaft 2I5 and extends outwardly at an angle from the shaft as illustrated in Fig. 23, where it is resiliently connected to an arm 2I6, the latter being Xed to the shaft. The resilient connection of the arms 2I4 and 256 consists of an adjustable screw 2|1 carried by the arm 2I6 and extending freely through an aperture in the arm 2I4 Where it supports a compression spring 2I8 positioned between the head of the screw and the arm 2I4 Vto cause movement of the arm 2I4 when the arm 2I6 is moved. The shaft 2I5 is rotatably carried by a bracket 228 which extends around the back or the right side (Fig. 24) of the support 2 Il where it is mounted upon a reciprocable rod 222. The rod 222 is slidable vertically in a bearing 223 'supporting a 'key 224 positioned in a keyway 225 of the rod 222 to permit longitudinal movement of the rod relative thereto yet prevent rotation of the rod. The bearing 223 is carried by a bracket 226 mounted upon the annular member |22. Upon the upper portion of the rod 222 is disposed a threaded member 221, receiving an adjusting nut 228 conditioned for adjustment of the rod to vary the position of the support 2| I relative to the vacuum tubes. The nut 228 supports a lock screw 238 at a portion where the nut is split to make possible a locking of the nut in any desired adjusted position. A yoke 23| pivotally supported by the nut 228 is connected to the outer fork-like end of a lever 233, the latter being pivotally supported at 234 and connected at its inner end' to an actuating rod 235 by links 236. The rod 235 in a similar manner to the rod |86 is reciprocable in bearings in the brackets |45 and |46 and is normally urged downwardly by a compression spring 238. The lower end of the rod 235 is connected to one end of a cam lever 248 through links'24I. The cam lever is pivotally supported by the rod |51 and supports, at its other end, a cam roller 243 positioned to ride in a cam groove 244 of a cam 245, the latter being mounted upon the shaft 63.

Through the actuation of the cam 245 the rod 222 is moved upwardly to a predetermined position allowed to remain in that position for a limited time, after which its upper movement is continued to cause rotationof the shaft 2I5 to move the support 2|| arcuately about the shaft to move the tube in that position away from the table and deposit the tube in a chute (not shown) to direct it to a receptacle or other suitable means to receive the tubes. The means for rotating the shaft 2I5 consists of a rack 258, mounted for vertical movement in the bracket 228 and supported by a compression spring 25| which is disposed concentric therewith, the lower end of the spring resting in a recess in the bracket while the upper end of the spring abuts an arm 252. An adjustable stop 253 carried by an element 254 is positioned for engagement) with the arm 252 during vertical movement of= the rod 222. The upper end of the element 254 is rotatably supported upon the` stationary bracket 223 and has a semi-circular portion 255 adjacent its lower end including an arcuate groove 256 for receiving a threaded member 251. The threaded member 251 is movable in the arcuate groove yet is provided with a tongue interengaging the groove for the locking of a guide member 26|) in operative or inoperative positions through the aid of a nut 26|. The guide member 268 is pivotally supported at 262 on the element 254 at a position coaxial with the groove 256 to permit swinging of the element arcuately about its pivot through the aid of the nut 26| and the threaded element 251, the latter extending through the guide member. That portion of the guide member beneath the threaded member 251 has an elongate aperture 265 to receive a pin 266 carried by the bracket 226.

Referring now to the rack 250, it will be noted, by viewing Fig. 22, that a shaft 268 has a pinion 210 mounted thereon for interengagement with the teeth of the rack and to cause rotation of the shaft when moved with the bracket 2 I4 relay tive to the rack, due to engagement with the stop 253 during vertical movement of the rod 222. In Figs. 2O and 2l the shaft 268 is shown as supporting a worm 21| intermeshing with a worm gear 212 mounted upon the shaft 2I5. Therefore, relative movement of the rack 250 and bracket 2I4 during vertical movement of the rod 222 will cause rotation of the shaft 268 through its engagement with the pinion 21Il'to rotate the worm 21| and, in turn, rotate the worm gear 212 and the shaft 2I5 to cause rotary movement of the arms 2I4 and 2I6 to move the support 2II from the solid line position shown in Fig. 23 to the dotted line position.

A gas burner 215 having jets positioned upon both sides of the tubulation is supported by the bracket 220, as illustrated in Figs. 2l and 23, for movement with the rod 222. The burner 215 is connected to a fuel supply (not shown) in any suitable manner.

Tabulation puller After the tubes have been completed and ejected at the sealing off position, there remains a portion of the tubulation in the exhaust socket. The tubulation puller indicated generally at 288 (Fig. rv1) is illustrated in detail in Figs. 14 to 18 inclusive. The portion of the tubulation indicated at 28| remaining in the exhaust socket after passing the sealing off position, is closed at its upper end and tapers upwardly almost to a point. This is a result of heating the glass at the sealing off position to a melting point and stretching the tubulation until it breaks at that portion. The tubulation puller, therefore, consists of a chuck 282 containing means to grip the tubulation 28| and remove the latter from the socket, moving the tubulation to a position in general alignment with a discharge chute and eject it into the chute. The chuck 282 consists mainly of an outer casing having truncated coneshaped inner wall 283 upon which spring pressed rollers 284 may ride in-to and out of engagement with the tubulation 28|. The rollers 284 carry shafts 285 at their centers which are positioned in tapered slots 286 in an inner member 281. The member 231 is centrally apertured at 288 for receiving the tube 28|. 'I'he inner member 281 is lalso grooved to freely receive the rollers 284 and allow rotation thereof. When the inner member 281 is moved downwardly through the force of a spring 289, the rollers 284 are caused to ride upon the inner surface 283 to move into intimate engagement with the tubulation 28| and to apply sufficient gripping force to thi-:tubulation for the ejection thereof.:` When the inner member 281 is moved upwardly, spring pressed plungers 290 are free to move the rollers outwardly and downwardly in their tapered slots to free the rollers of the tubulation 23|. The plungers 236 also serve to hold the rollers against rotation when they are in gripping engagement with the tubulation.

The chuck 232 is supported by a bracket 299 which is mounted rigidly upon the lower end of a reciprocable rod 365. 'I'he rod 330 extends vertically through a tubular cam 33|, the latter being rotatably supported by a bracket 392 as illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16 yet held against vertical movement by collars 333. The cam 36| is not rotated during the operation of themachine but may be rotated from an operative position shown in the drawings to a position in which the chuck 282 is out of registration with the sockets 34. This is made possible through a threaded pin 335 carried by the cam 33! and positioned in an elongate aperture 336 in the bracket 332. When the pin 335 is in the position shown in Figs. 15 and 16 the tubulation puller unit is in operative position, but by moving the pin 355 to the other end of the aperture 395 to rotate the cam 33| the same distance the unit will be moved out of registration with the sockets 34. A nut 361 threadedly disposed upon the pin v 33| during vertical movement of the rod to cause movement of the chuck 232 from a position in alignment with a socket 33 to move the tubulation 28|, after it has been moved free of the socket, through a slot 3M in a chute 3| 5, and in general alignment with the chute.

The means for imparting reciprocatory movement to the rod 363 consists of a cam 3| 6 mounted upon the cam shaft 63 and conditioned to cause actuation of a cam lever 3|1 through its engagement with a cam roller 3|8 supported by the adjacent end of the lever. The cam lever 3|1 is pivoted on the rod |51 and is operatively connected, at its other end, to an actuating rod 329 through links 32|. The rod `329 is mounted for vertical movement in bearings in the brackets |45 and |45 and is normally urged upwardly to hold the cam roller 3|8 in engagement with the cam3|6 through the aid of a spring 3|9. The upper end of the actuating rod 329 is operatively connected to one end of a rocking lever 322 vthrough links 323, the lever being pivotally supported, at 324, and having a nut 325 pivotally supported at the other end thereof. The nut 325 is conditioned toreceive a threaded portion 326 of the upper end of the rod 333 so as to allow rotary movement of the rod throughthe effect of the cam groove 3|| on the roller 3|@ to swing the chuck 232 from its tubulation receiving position to its tubulation ejecting position.

The chute 3|5 in the present embodiment is formed of sheet metal and is iixed to the cam or any other suitable support 33|. v Stop members 333 and 33| are also supported by the cam 30| and positioned to engage a roller 332 of a cam 333 to cause movement thereof in opposite directions to move the inner member 281 against is posi- 335, upon the bracket 299 and has a cam groovev 336 of the contour illustrated, to engage a roller Operation When the machine is in condition for operation, that is, when sui'licient time has been allowed for the oven |26 to be heated to the desired temperature, the'motor '55 may be energized through the closing of an electrical circuit thereto, thus vstarting the table 35 indexing. Rather than attempt to describe all the actions that take place in the machine at each interval of operation it is believed that by following one vacuum tube through the machine the operation of the machine will be more clearly understood.

The table 35 is advanced intermittently in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 1). Therefore, the iirst two positions beyond the tubulation puller 280 will be termed the loading positions at which positions the operator inserts the tubulations of the vacuum tubes in the exhausting sockets 34.

At these positions the gripping lcontact 39 of Y each set is in open position, that' is, spaced from its stationary contact 98. Afterfinserting 'the tubulation of the tube in the p exhausting socket the four lead wires of the tube are positioned between their respective gripping contacts 98'and 99. The operator thus has two positions in which Y to insert the tubulation of the tube and position the lead wires of the tube with respect to the gripping contacts. At the third position the tube is brought into communication with a vacuum line traced through the exhaust socket 34,

in which it is disposed, through the associatedV valve 1||0, through the associated tube ||2, passageways 43 and 33 communicating therewith, and through the associated pipe 38 to a vacuum pump (not shown). At the next position, that is, the iirst position in front of the oven, the vacuum line to the tube is closed and the tube is subjected to aleak detector (not shown), and

the force of spring 239 into open position and y Figs. 16 and 17, that the cam 333 is pivoted, at 75 if a leak should be present in the tube suitable means (not shown) is provided for movingl the lever of the valve H0 outwardly in a vhorizontal position to close the valve, thus cutting 01T the tube from further communication-with subsequentexhaust lines. V

For the purpose of illustration, however', let it be assumed that no leak is present in the' tube and the valve ||`D remains open. As soon-as the table 35 is moved to move the tube under test into the oven, the push rods 96 (Figs. 2 and 10) move free of the cams 86," 'allowing the springs 94 mounted thereon to move the push rods free of the arms 103, or rather theterminals ICI-'1y carried by these arms, thus allowing the springs |93 to move their respective contacts 99.to cause gripping of the lead wires of the tube.

The oven doors |3| and |32v are .moved in synchronism with the table duc to the fact thatf power from the same means;

both receiveV their that is, the shaft 63 driving the gear 62, causing intermittent movement o'f the tablethrough the Geneva mechanism, also drives the cam |6| which causes operation of the oven Vdoors atk definite intervals. The rotation of the cam I6! will cause the high portion |62 to ride beneath the roller |50, causing movement to the left (Fig. 7) of the cam element |54, guided in its movement by the members |55 and |56 against the tension of the spring |04 to rotate the shaft |48 a predetermined distance clockwise, viewing Fig. 1, through the connection of the links |50. The rotation of the shaft |48 will move the arm |42 from the solid line position (Fig. l) to the dotted line position, moving the connecting rods |4| and |43 sufficient distance to move the doors |3| and |32 beyond the openings |30 in the ends of the oven. The action of the oven doors with the table is such that the oven is open only that length of time necessary for the passing of the tube through the opening |30, after which the roller |60 (Fig. 7) has passed beyond the high portion |62 of the cam, allowing the spring |64 to return the element |54 to the position at the right and rotate the shaft, through the links |50, counterclockwise to cause the arm |42 to move the rods |4| and |43 to return the doors to their closed positions.

The tube then becomes heated to a desired temperature to vaporize all moisture in the tube and the tube is again brought into communication with exhausting means through its valve and the passageways brought into communication therewith ateach rest period of the table to exhaust the tube. During this interval of movement of the tube through the oven, the

electrical elements therein are included in desired electrical circuits which include the cam like terminals 84 (Figs. 11 and 25) and the terminals |04 (Figs. 8 and 9). At positions where it is desired to include the electrical elements of the tube in electrical circuits the cam like terminals 84 electrically engage the push rods 00 and cause movement thereof a sufficient distance to engage the terminals |04 to complete the circuits. It is evident, by Viewing Fig. 9, that the circuits are completed upon the engagement of the push rods 00 with the terminals 84, due to the fact that the push rods, through the conductors |05, are at all times electrically connected to the terminals |04. The aforementioned circuits including the terminals 84 and |04 are not shown, for the reason that different types of circuits are employed, the important factor lying in the means for closing the circuits through the elements of the tube during the various intervals of operation.

Although the tube, during the intermittent movement through the oven, that is during each rest period of the table is in communication with an exhausting means in an attempt to completely exhaust the tube, quantities of gases cohering to the metal portions or metallic elements within the tube will remain therein. In order to drive out the occluded gas the tube is now subjected to the high frequency coils |10 to |15 inclusive in successive stages after the tube leaves the oven |20. As stated in the foregoing description of the operation of the oven doors, these doors are moved into open` position to allow one tube to enter the oven while another tube moves out of the oven, the doors closing immediately thereafter. During the next ve positions the tube is heated inductively by the high frequency coils |10 to |14 inclusive which, together with the coil |15, are moved vertically to free the tube during its intermittent movement from one position to another. This movement is brought about through the mechanism shown in Figs. 1 an-d 13. In Fig, 13 the position of the cam 204 is about to complete the lowering of the coils to position the first coil 10 about the tube. The coil remains in this position to begin the inductive heating of the electrical elements in the tube to raise the temperature thereof to the vaporization point of the gases that are desired to be volatilized. Due to the fact that the interval of time in which the tube remains at rest is too short in which to so heat the electrical elements of the tube, the inductive heating of such parts, through the high frequency coils, is thus repeated at several positions. Just prior to the moving of the table to move the tube to the next position the cam 204 causes movement of the cam lever |99 about its pivot to move the connecting rod |96 downwardly, rocking the lever |84 about its pivot |85, thus causing movement of the connecting rod |8I upwardly, moving the guideway |19 on the guide |80, and moving the support |18 with the high frequency coils |10 to |15 inclusive upwardly. The table is then advanced to the next position, at which time the cam 204 is moved to reverse the movement of the parts connecting it with the support |18 to lower the coils, at this time placing the coil |1| around the tube. This operation is repeated until the tube arrives at the position of the coil |15. The coil |15 is larger than the other coils and positioned to extend lower around the tubes, the purpose of which is to apply heat at a new portion of the tube in which portion a getter is located. The tube is in communication with the exhausting means at each position adjacentthe high frequency coils to remove the occluded gases as they are vaporized. Should any gases remain when the tube reaches the .position adjacent the coil |15 the flashing of the getter through the heat caused by the coil |15 will remove such remaining gases.

Just prior to the tube leaving the oven the push rods (Fig. 10) advance to a position where they ride upon the cams 86 and are thus moved by the cams to open the gripping contacts to release the lead wires of the tube. The gripping contacts arethus held open by the cams and push rods to a position adjacent the entrance of the furnace.

After the tube leaves the positions of the high frequency coils it enters the sealing off unit 2|0. In other words, the support 2|| is located, as illustrated in Figs, 1 and 24, so that during the indexing of the table the tubulation of the tube will enter the slot 2|2, the tube passing between the retaining springs 2|3 and the lower portion of the tube being positioned a slight distance above the support. The tubulation of the tube is then positioned between the burners 215, where it is subjected to a heat suicient to soften the glass thereof. During this time the tube is under Vacuum, causing the portion of the tubula tion subjected to the heat of the burner to collapse. After a definite interval of time suiiicient to heat and to collapse the tubulation at the point of application of the heat, the cam 245 is moved to rock the cam lever 240 (Fig. 19) about its pivot to move the actuating rod 235 downwardly, rocking the lever 233 about its pivot 234, causing upward movement of the reciprocating rod 222. During the rst interval of movement of the rod 222 the support 2| Will be moved into engagement with the tube, causing the tube to rest thereupon and held against falling therefrom by the springs 2|3. Further movement of the rod 222 will cause the support 2|| to move the tube a sucient distance to cause breaking of the tubulation at the collapsed portion. Both severed portions of the tubulation, that remaining on the tube and that remaining inthe exhaust shaft 2|5 through the worm 27| and the wormA gear 212. The shaft 2|5 is thus rotated through a portion of a revolution clockwise (Fig. 23) to move the arm 2|6 iixed thereto from the solid line position shown in this figure to the dotted line position. A similar movement is imparted to the arm 2M through the screw 2H and the spring 218 to move the support 2| with the tube temporarily held in place by the retaining springs 2i3 from the solid line position to the dotted line position, thus transferring the tube from the table to a chute (not shown) to direct the tube to a suitable container.

Further actuation of the cam 2t5 will cause downward movement of the rod 222 to its normal position and during the movement of the rod downwardly the spring 25| (Fig. 22) will be rendered effective to hold the rack 258 against movement during downward movement of the bracket 228, thus causing rotation of the shaft 258 in a reverse direction and, through the worm 2li and the worm gear 2'12, causing reverse rotation of the shaft 2I5 to return the support 2| I to its normal position in time to receive the next tube. Thetable 35 has started its indexing movement in suicient time to move the tubulation remaining in the socket free of the support 2|| and the burner 215 prior to the lowering of these elements into position to receive the next tube.

At certain times it is desirable to move the sealing off means into an'inoperative position, for example, when operation of the `machine has just begun, and prior to the time Vin which the iirst tube has arrived at the sealing off position. A latch 48|), spring pressed to normally connect the rod 222 with the threaded element 22?, may be released to allow relative movement of these parts. When such has been accomplished the nut 28| may be loosened and by moving the link 260 through an arc guided by the aperture 256 about the pivot 252 the bracket 220 with the associated parts may be lifted, throughY the aid of the pin 256, into a position away :from` the table 125.

tion 255 through the association of the threaded member 251 will lock the parts in the raised position. The next operation takes place at thev next position after the sealing oif of the tubulation and the ejecting of the tube, and is the removal of the remaining tubulation Vfrom the exhaust socket. This is accomplished by the tubulation puller 288 illustrated in Fig. 1 and Figs. 14 to 18 inclusive. Asstated in the foregoing description, the remaining tubulation 28| (Fig. 17) is stretched toY a point while being broken at the previous position. A sufficient portion of this tubulation extends abovethe exhaust socket for the passing of the chuck 282 into gripping 'engagement therewith. Movement of the chuck 282 may be followed from the cam 3|6 through the rocking of the lever 3H, the upward move ment of the rod 32|) causing rocking movement of the lever 322 about its pivot to move the nut Y325 with the rod 300 downwardly to move the chuck downwardly over the tubulation 28|. As the chuck is lowered over the tubulation the gripping rollers 28.3 are allowed to move against the tensionapplied to the spring pressed pins to avoid breaking of the tubulationyet suiii-y cient pressure is applied to the tubulation through the rollers to grip the tubulation and cause removal thereof from the exhaust socket when the chuck 282 is moved upwardly. Cam 356 causes a reversal of the movement ofthe parts operatively connecting it to the chuck, 'toY cause the chuck to be moved upwardly, moving the tubulation free of the socket 34. During the upward movement of the chuck with the tubulation the rod 388 is moved axially of the cam 36|, causing the roller 3|@ to ride in the cam groove 3H and at the position of the bend in the cam groove'r-the-rod 308 is rotated through an arc suflicient tomove the chuck to move the tubulation carried thereby through the slot 3N and in direct alignment with the chute 3|5. At this time the roller 332 is positioned to engage the stop 336, causing movement of the cam 333 about its pivot 335 during continued movement of the rod 30|), moving the cam groove 336 relative to roller 33? and causing rocking movement of the lever 33S about its pivot 348. Thismovement of the lever 338 will cause upward movement of the tapered or truncated cone shaped wall 283,

allowing the spring pressed plungers 298 to move the rollers along their tapered slots free of the tubulation 28|' and allowing it to drop into the chute, from where itpasses into a receptacle (not shown).

The operation of one cycleof the machine has been completed, setting forth that which takes place at the different positions of rest throughout one intermittent revolution of the table. It Y should be understood, however, that throughout 1 the thirty positions on the table various operations are carried on in sequence through the operation of various units such as the oven doors, the high frequency coil moving means, the sealing olf unit, and the tubulation puller, all of which are operated in synchronism with the table moving means. Furthermore, the control means and its various units are centralized, receiving their power from a central portion of the machine, thusremoving mechanisms from the exterior of the machine which mightI interfere with the operator, in operating the machine,

and become hazardous.H Furthermore, the cams' for operating the gripping contacts as well as the terminals for including the push rods inV electrical circuits to include the electrical elements of the tubes are mounted upon a stationl Y ary distributing member Within the machine and about which 'the table travels, this'mechanism utilizing the push rods both for thev circuit?.

closing means and the gripping contact actuat# mg means.

vThe embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are illustrative only and may be Widely modiiied and departed from in many ways withl out departing from the spirit and scope of the the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. n an exhaust machine, a table movable inf Y termittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced receiving tubulations 'of tubes to be exhausted,

positions about the table for an oven with a stationary opening at each end positioned for the movement of the tubes therethrough, doors for the said openings, and means operable in synchronism with the table to intermittently move the doors toward and away from the openings.

2. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, a stationary oven with an opening at each end positioned for the movement of the tubes therethrough, doors for the said openings, and operating means extending through the plane of the table adjacent the axis thereof to move the doors into open and closed positions relative to the oven.

3. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, a stationary oven with an opening at each end positioned for the movement of the tubes therethrough, doors for the said openings, operating means extending through the plane of the table adjacent the axis thereof to move the doors into open and closed positions relative to the oven, and means to vary the operating means to vary the positions of the doors relative to the oven.

4. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of various types of tubes to be exhausted having metallic electrical elements therein, means to inductively heat the tubes be- I tween movements of the table, means to move the heating means into and out of heating positions` and means to vary the moving means to vary the distance the heating means is moved relative to the electrical elements in the tubes.

5. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of various types of tubes to be exhausted having metallic electrical elements therein, means to inductively heat the tubes between movements of the table, means to move the heating means into and out of heating positions, and means to vary the moving means to vary the relative position of the heat of the heating means and the tubes.

6. In an exhaust machine, la table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, sets of normally closed gripping contacts for holding lead wires of electrical elements of the tubes disposed adjacent the exhaust sockets, a reciprocable member electrically connected to each set of gripping contacts, means positioned to electrically include the members and, through the members, the contacts in electrical circuits, and means to reciprocate the members to open the contacts.

'7. In an exhaust machine, a table movable lintermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, sets of normally closed gripping contacts for holding lead wires of electrical elements of the tubes disposed adjacent the exhaust sockets, a reciprocable member electrically connected to each set of gripping contacts, terminals positioned to engage the members to electrically include the members and, through the members,

the contacts in electrical circuits, and means to reciprocate the members to open the contacts.

8. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table lor receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, sets of normally closed gripping contacts for holding lead Wires Yof electrical elements of the tubes disposed adjacent the exhaust sockets, a reciprocable member electrically connected to each set of gripping contacts, a distributor disposed concentric with the axis and having means positioned to electrically include the members and, through the members, the contacts in electrical circuits, and means to reciprocate the members to open the contacts.

9. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets ldisposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, sets of normally closed gripping contacts for holding lead wires of electrical elements of the tubes disposed adjacent the exhaust sockets, a reciprocable member electrically connected to each set of gripping contacts, and a distributor disposed concentric with the axis and having cams and terminals thereon, the cams positioned to cause movement of the reciprocable members to open the contacts and the terminals positioned to engage the members to electrically include the members and, through the members, the contacts in electrical circuits.

10. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, a heating unit to inductively heat the tubes bctween movements of the table, a guide for the unit, an oscillating arm to move the unit into and out of heating positions relative to the tubes, and a fulcrum support for the arm variable relative to the arm to vary the heating positions of the heating unit.

11. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, means to exhaust the tubes, a unit operable to act on the tube, a member to reciprocably move the unit in an operative position to act on the tubes singly, and manually operated means to move the member to move the unit out of the operative position.

12. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, means to exhaust the tubes, a sealing off unit, a member to reciprocably move the unit in an operative position for sealing off the tubes singly, and manually operated means to move the member to move the unit out of the operative position and into an inoperative position and lock the unit in the last mentioned position.

13. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, means to exhaust the tubes, a sealing ol unit, a member to reciprocably move the unit in an operativel position for sealing off the tubes singly, and an element held against movement by the unit when the latter is in its operative position but movable to move the unit out of its operative position.

14. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittentlyV about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, means to exhaust the tubes, a sealing off unit, a member to reciprocably move the unit in an operative position for sealing of the tubes singly, an element held against movement by the unit when the latter is in its operative position but movable to move the unit out of its operative position, and means including an abutting member carried by the element to cause arcuate movement of the unit during reciprocable movement thereof to eject the tubes therefrom.

15. In anexhaust machine, a table movable 1 intermittently about anaxis, exhaust sockets' disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, means to exhaust the tubes, a sealing E unit, a member to reciprocably move the unit in an 0perative position for sealing olf the tubes singly, an element held against movement by the unit when the latter is in its operative position but movable to move the unit out of its operative position, and means including an abutting member carried by the element to cause arcuate movement of the unit during reciprocable movement thereof to eject the tubes therefrom, the abutting member being variable to vary the time of the arcuate movement of the unit during its reciprocable movement.

16. In an exhaust machine, a stationary vertical hollow support, a table mounted for intermittent movement about the support, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions adjacent the periphery of the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, a sealing olf unit to singly seal oii the tubulations, sever the tubes therefrom and eject the tubes, a unit for removing the remaining tubulations singly from the sockets, and separate actuating means extending through the hollow support to actuate each unit.

17. In an exhaust machine, a stationary vertical hollow support, a table mounted for intermittent movement about the support, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions adjacent the periphery of the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, a sealing off unit to singly seal off the tubulations, sever the tubes therefrom and eject the tubes, a unit for removing the remaining tubulations singly from the sockets, a rotatable cam shaft, operating cams for each unit mounted on the shaft, and separate actuating means extending through the hollow support to operatively connect the units with their respective cams.

18. In an exhaust machine, a stationary vertical hollow support, a table mounted for intermittent movement about the support, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions adjacent the periphery oi? the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, an oven positioned for the passing of the tubes therethrough during movement of the table and having an entrance end and an exit end, doors for the ends of the oven, a sealing off unit to singly seal off the tubuconnect the units and the doors with their respective cams'.

19. In an exhaust machine, a stationary vertical hollow support, a table mounted for intermittent movement about the support, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions adjacent the periphery of the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, a plurality of units to respectively act on the tubes and tubulations, and separate actuating means extending through the hollow Vsupport to actuate each unit.

20. In an exhaust machine, a stationary vertical hollow support, a table'rnounted for intermittent movement aboutV the support, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions adjacent the periphery of the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, a plurality of units to respectively heat, seal off the tubes from the tubulations and remove the'tubulations, a rotatable cam shaft, operating cams for each unit mounted on the shaft, and separate'actuating means extending through the hollow support to respectively connect the units with their respective cams. f

21. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, means to exhaust the tubes, a sealing oi unit, a reciprocable member supporting the unit, an actuating arm to reciprocate the member'to move the unit into and out of an operative position for sealing off the tubes singly, variable means to connect the actuating arm and the reciprocable member to vary the relative position of the sealing oli' unit with the tube when in the operative position, and manually operated means to move the member to move the unit out of the operative position.

22. In an exhaust machine, a table movable intermittently about an axis, exhaust sockets disposed at spaced positions about the table for receiving tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, means to exhaust the tubes, means to seal oi the tubes and separate them from the tubulations, a unit to remove the tubulations singly from the sockets, a chute to receive the removed tubulations, a reciprocable member to support the unit, means to reciprocate the member, a cam to cause arcuate movement of the unit during reciprocable movement thereof to move the tubulation from its socket to the chute, and means to move the cam to render the unit ineffective to move the tubulations.

23. In an exhaust machine, a stationary vertical hollow support, a table mounted for intermittent movement about the support, exhaust `sockets disposed at spaced positions adjacent Vthe periphery of the table to receive tubulations of tubes to be exhausted, a drive shaft, means operatively connected to the drive shaft to move the table, an oven to heat the tubes, doors for the ends of the oven to close the oven after. movement of the table to move a tube into and another tube out of the oven, a unit to inductively to remove the tubulations, separate actuating means for the doors and the units extending through the hollow support, and cams for the actuating means mounted on the drive shaft.

' VICTORH. VAN SANT. 

